Fashion, art, music collide in holiday event

Published: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 1:18 p.m. CDT

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DeKALB – The Ellwood House Visitor Center will host a revitalized version of the event series Borders Nite Out on Friday, Dec. 14, with a presentation of seasonal fashion, art by local artists, a book signing and live music.

Borders Nite Out: Holiday Edition 2012 will showcase 13 local models, five live musical groups and an array of area artists. Author J.D. Gordon will sign copies of his book, "Caribbean Calling." Musical performances will include a tribute to the music of Bob Dylan.

Borders Nite Out events were originally held in the Borders bookstore in DeKalb. Although the store closed in spring 2011, organizers decided they could continue to collaborate for future events.

"The 'Charlies Angels' event which relaunched Borders Nite Out in September exceeded our expectations, and we all still love sitting and writing events together, as we did in the cafe when the store was open," organizer Dan Sherrill said.

The holiday edition will include three separate fashion presentations showcasing holiday outfits and set to music inspired by the event.

From December of 2008 until Borders closed, Borders Nite Out served as a monthly 'couple's night' in the store's cafe, which featured live music, book signings and art by local artists. The series was relaunched in September 2012 at the Ellwood House Visitors Center, and will continue on a regular basis at that venue. Sherrill will write the event and layout with former Borders cafe barista Jessica Arriaga, as well as other former crew members from the DeKalb store. Arriaga will also serve as the event series' manager.

The event will include live music by The Bill Leighly Band, Danny Fox, Nathan Dettman, Chelsea Danielle and Mitch Munns with Rachael Cozzola. Local vendors will include artists Danielle Kinser and Alex Canevello, Aesthetic Pitch Photography by Chelsea Danielle and handmade jewelry by Rachel Muller and Ashley Ney. Andy Hampton will read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" aloud.

A special Borders Nite Out display will also be available with memorabilia and original event posters from the 2 year run of the event series. Former Borders DeKalb employees and regulars will be making appearances throughout the event.